A week ago, the Guild I belong to (Kindred Spirits Sampler Guild) had their monthly meeting and Terri, Julie and I were the hostesses. Terri posted pictures, but I thought I'd post a couple just because I thought our table and goodies were so nice.
These miniature cheesecakes were one of my contributions. My local produce market sold the edible flowers and since Julie came up with a floral theme, I thought they fit right in.
All the food was wonderful and Terri has posted her Praline Brownie recipe on her blog. I think I grabbed one of those before we were even ready to start eating just because I had to have one (and don't tell - I think I took the biggest one - they were so good!!!!).I'm looking forward to our next class through the Guild. Catherine Jordan is coming to teach the Great Lakes map:
I can hardly wait to get my hands on this one and start it. I think our Guild will be the first to be taught this project. Of course, where I'm going to fit it in to stitch is another matter. It should be an interesting class because all the water on this piece is painted in. It should certainly turn into a great learning experience.
Even though everyone was home and I've been running my butt off, I did manage to get some stitching in. I started Queen Bee by Shepherd's Bush (love the sparklies in her wings). I've had this kit in the stash pile for a while, and after the A&E sampler (now at the framers - Happy Dance), I wanted to do something with soft colors and with a little more interest to the stitches.
I got past the 1/2 way point in just a few days. The last picture didn't come out very well, but shows my progress. It's been a lot of fun. I used a different lettering that I found in a webshots album (http://good-times.webshots.com/album/562287066fVItwN). These can be downloaded and used if you like them. I prefer this type of lettering over what SB has been using - that wonky high/low, wide/narrow lettering. I really would have liked to finish it but I felt the end of June looming in the horizon and decided to sail back over to Shores. I haven't done enough on Shores to snap a picture though.
I was surprised to learn this week that I won a giveway on Karen's blog. I haven't won anything in my life except for a Funny Face Drinkstand (does anyone remember Funny Face - it was like Koolaid - actually probably was Koolaid under an alias). I entered a coloring contest and won a drink stand. It was profitable until one day, my brother, in his role as Kamakazi Bikerider Brother, decided to end the business of the drinkstand by barreling down the sidewalk at warp speed and crashing into it. It was only made out of heavy-duty cardboard, so it didn't take much to end the summer refreshment stand business. To this day, I can still see the glee in his eyes as he came barreling down the sidewalk and us girls running and screaming like crazy fools. Oh brothers, what would we do without them?
Anyway, I won the Friendship chart by Brightneedle. Ya Hoo! I was tickled. Then I just needed a stash fix of some little things (I really should be shot) and picked up Ark and Girl in the Red Dress. I would really like to have her, Marion the Librarian and Miss Mary Mack (and I think there is one other one - Friends Forever?) stitched for my craft room. I've seen this one done on 40 ct and would love to try it. Just haven't gotten up the nerve yet. Anyway, just another couple things to add to the ever-growing "want to do list". 
I also received Sampler Sisters of the Thread chart from The Primitive Needle. I would love to just dig into this one, but I don't have any fabric that would fit the piece. It's a shame I didn't have this a little earlier, because I finally broke down and ordered a few pieces:
I ordered some 40 ct Relic on the left, 36 ct Limited Edition Reindeer and 40 ct Legacy (can't see the mottling, but it's nice) on the right. The Reindeer is the fabric I ordered for The Plantation Sampler which I'm suppose to be stitching as we speak. I joined a SAL and had all intentions of putting in a few stitches in this weekend and I never got there. Story of my life! I'm going to try this week. (Have I ever mentioned I stink at SALs?)
Last, but not least, I was wandering around my local Joanne Fabrics last week and spied these on sale for $14.99 a piece! Gingher Criss Scissors! I love, love blue and white! I had ordered the smaller ones off the Bay of Evil for a pretty good price, but not as good as $14.99. Seems that I've developed a scissors fetish (mainly due to Terri - well, I have to blame someone, don't I???). I asked the girl at the checkout (who was besides herself because she didn't know they were marked down and almost bowled me over checking me out so she could go grab some) if they did this often. She said that when a new one was scheduled to be released, they put their old stuff on sale. Well, that's great news. So if you need scissors, run to Joanne's.
Well, I think that's about it. I have to go catch up on four days worth of blogs! I have to say that I enjoyed all your comments to my last post (which seems like I made ages ago) about Costco/Sam's addiction. I didn't realize that so many people were in love with that store or had husbands that loved those stores. I got a kick out of all of them. It's nice to know that you're not alone! Hope that everyone has a great stitching week and thanks again for all the great comments. I sometimes try to reply to them, but lately I just haven't had the time to do that! I'm going to try to be better!!
